Paddlers Needed In Effort To Remove Invasive Water Chestnut From Floating Meadows

This coming Sunday, September 16, from 9 to 11 a.m., local paddlers will unite in a big effort to remove the remaining water chestnut plants from the lower Mattabesset River in the Floating Meadows between Middletown and Cromwell.  John Hall, Executive Director of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art, said, "If we can get about 20 paddlers, we have a good chance of clearing the main stem of the river for the first time in 5 years."

The group will launch from the canoe and kayak launch at 181 Johnson St. in Middletown. Bags and gloves will be provided.  Paddlers are required to wear life jackets and to sign a Jonah Center liability waiver and photo permission form. A porta-potty is located at the launch site.

While the Jonah Center prefers not to schedule events on Sunday, they are doing so in this case due to the Sunday availability of canoeists and in order to have more favorable water levels.  High tide on Sunday is at 8 a.m., compared to one hour earlier on Saturday.